ABC learns once is enough for all-star dancers

January 10, 2013 | Modified: January 10, 2013 at 6:45 pm
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CAPTION CORRECTION: This November 12, 2012 publicity photo released by ABC shows, from left, Tony Dovolani, Melissa Rycroft, and Henry Byalikov, during a performance on “Dancing with the Stars: All Stars,” in “Episode 1508,”which included two rounds of competition for the seven remaining couples, a Ballroom and Latin Trio round, on the ABC Television Network. There's no second act for celebrities on "Dancing With the Stars," President, ABC Entertainment Group, Paul Lee, said Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, that was the lesson from the past few months, when the network brought back some favorite contestants from its long-running competition series and the show fell flat. (AP Photo/ABC, Adam Taylor)

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — There's no second act for celebrities on "Dancing With the Stars."

ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee said Thursday that was the lesson from the past few months, when the network brought back some favorite contestants from its long-running competition series and the show fell flat.

Emmitt Smith, Bristol Palin, Pamela Anderson and winner Melissa Rycroft came back for the all-star edition. But Nielsen said viewership was down 21 percent on Monday nights from the previous fall.

Lee said it was clear that viewers enjoyed the journey of celebrities learning how to dance, instead of coming in with skills already learned.

This spring's edition will have first-time competitors.